Abstract

LORENZO-BARRERA, NA. et al. Uses of kidneywood Eysenhardtia polystachya (Ort.) Sarg., in four municipalities of the state of Morelos, Mexico. Polibotánica [online]. 2023, n.55, pp.161-177.  Epub May 26, 2023. ISSN 1405-2768.  https://doi.org/10.18387/polibotanica.55.11.

Medicinal plants are the primary option for health in rural communities, the conservation of knowledge of the way these plants are used is of vital importance;In addition, the study of these serves as a basis to continue with its use as a therapeutic alternative. The objective of the research was to document the value of use, cultural importance, way of obtaining the medicinal plant and the pattern of ethnobotanical knowledge of Eysenhardtia polystachya (Ort.) Sarg., for the alternative treatment of health conditions of the population in the municipalities of Tepoztlán, Tlayacapan, Cuautla and Yecapixtla, Morelos. The research presents a mixed design and analysis (qualitative and quantitative). The qualitative analysis was based on semi-structured interviews with 75 informants per municipality from January to May 2021; For the quantitative analysis, the use value index (IVU to determine the cultural importance of the species), the level of significant use tramil (UST for form of use) and the chi square test (to determine the relationship and differences between variable). The results show that E. polystachya is a plant used in traditional medicine, with an IVU of 1, which indicates that it has three uses (medicinal for humans, medicinal for animals and as a material for domestic use); with a UST of 26.66% with cultural acceptance; it is commonly called palo dulce; Mainly used for kidney infection (68%), the main form of preparation is stem soaking (78%). Chi square tests indicate that people who know E. polystachya are related to the municipality where they live, their occupation, the type of housing, type of disease for which they use the plant, how to obtain it and how it is transmitted. knowledge of this plant. In conclusion, E. polystachya is a species of cultural importance and multipurpose, the local demand causes it to be taken directly from its natural habitat; Therefore, it is necessary to promote management strategies prioritizing propagation for conservation and use, in addition to promoting the transmission of traditional knowledge to prevent the erosion of cultural knowledge.

Keywords : Traditional medicine; ethnobotanical knowledge; sweet stick.

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